Hi Nas! Thank you for having me here today to discuss what I’ve learned since receiving ‘The Call” in October 2010. For those of you who don’t know me, I write for Harlequin Mills and Boon’s Medical Romance line. In my fifteen months as a published author I’ve written a three book series, When One Night Isn’t Enough, my debut, released in June/July 2011. Once a Good Girl… released in December 2011/January2012. And The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal will release in April/May 2012. I am currently in revisions with my fourth book (and no, they don’t get easier) and I have one book left to write on my current contract.

So what have I learned?

1)It’s possible to spend an entire day working as an author without any increase to the word count of your manuscript. This is a biggie folks. It’s easy to get caught up in social networking, promoting and research (looking at pictures of hot men included!). And while, yes, these activities fall under the umbrella of necessary author duties (because let’s face it, our heroes’ features must be accurate!), writers need to make time to write. Let me say that again. Writers need to make time to write.(I decided to bold it, too, so you’d get how important that is.)

2)Seasoned authors who tell you to avoid reading reviews of your books should be listened to. Because it’s true that the good ones make you feel better than you are, and the bad ones will stick with you like last night’s spicy chili and make you question the very talent that led to you getting published in the first place.

3)Searching out sales numbers on the Internet is counterproductive. (And yet I can’t help myself!) When the numbers show increasing sales it’s like a drug-induced euphoria you seek out over and over to feed your addiction. When the numbers flatline it’s like withdrawal. Depressing. Isolating. Painful – at least on a mental level. Why isn’t anyone buying my books? Don’t they like me? (Totally pathetic, I know. And very unmotivating.)

4)No matter how hard you work to make your book perfect, it won’t be.

5)Even though it’s your name on the book, it takes the assistance of others to transform your story from an idea to a saleable novel. A quick shout out to my editor, Flo Nicoll, who is one amazing lady. I wouldn’t be where I am without her patience, guidance, and all around wonderfulness!

6)Every author needs a support system. I am lucky to be blessed with many wonderful friends who are there for me, not only to share my successes, but to console me when I get a bad review, to encourage me when I’m frustrated, or to yell at me to get back to work when I’m feeling distracted or unmotivated – which happens more often than I’d like to admit. Because let’s face it, playing on the Internet or reading someone else’s book is a heck of a lot easier than struggling with internal conflict, motivation, and achieving a believable happily ever after.

7)When you’re a newbie author with a question, ask a published author. Okay, maybe not Nora, but I’ve found the HQN author community to be very helpful and welcoming. When I received my first round of copy edits and had no idea what to do, I reached out to fellow Medical Romance (and Special Edition) author Lynne Marshall who took time out of her busy schedule to share how she handles them.

Well, I’m sure more things will come to me after I hit send, but I think I shared the biggies. I’m happy to answer any questions you have for me. Two lucky commenters/question askers will win a copy of my latest Harlequin Medical Romance, Once a Good Girl… To read an excerpt visit my website: Wendy S Marcus.

Wendy S. Marcus lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York with her husband, two of their three children, and a much loved Bichon Frise named Buddy. A nurse by trade, Wendy has her master’s degree in health care administration. After years of working in the medical profession, Wendy has taken a radical turn to writing hot contemporary romance with strong heroes, feisty heroines, and lots of laughs. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and blogging/e-mailing/tweeting with her online friends. To learn more about Wendy visit her website, http://www.WendySMarcus.com.

No need to enter me in the draw, I've been lucky enough to win a copy of your book on a Facebook giveaway, which I look forward to reading soon. Your post was quite an eye opener. I remember when I started a blog first and shared a lot of personal experience on it. I was constantly checking for comments and feedback and it was such an addiction. The internet is like a drug and it an really suck your time if you're not careful. All the best with your books, Wendy.

Hi Maria!I hope you enjoy Once a Good Girl... when you read it. The Internet is a terrible addiction. It's always there to occupy you and there's always someone available to chat on Facebook or Twitter. I try not to dwell on how much writing I could get done if I didn't access the Internet every day!

In a few months my books will be out there, and I'll be tempted to do all these things! Check reviews, check sales numbers, network instead of writing... So thanks for all these tips from someone who already has experience!

Hi Shelley!So nice to *see* you! With the release of Once a Good Girl... for Kindle and Nook in the U.S. I'm trying an experiment. If you plan on purchasing it, if you'd do it on February 1st I'd appreciate it. I'm trying to see if we can push Once a Good Girl... onto one of the Amazon/Barnes and Noble bestseller lists so it can gain wider exposure in the U.S. I have no idea if it will work, but it can't hurt to try!

(I've enjoyed Once a Good Girl already, so no need to enter me in the draw.)

Thanks for sharing your challenges with temptation from non-writing activities, Wendy. They can be a big time sink for anyone with a purpose, and a computer linked to the web. Recognizing the problem, as you have done, is the first step in overcoming it. Good luck!

Hi Robyn!I'm so glad you're interested in reading Once a Good Girl... Writing is a solitary occupation. Twitter and Facebook are our water cooler of sorts. I've met some wonderful friends online. Some who I've gone on to connect with at conferences, some who I may never meet in person. But both are equally important to me!

Hi Wendy - I agree with everything you've said on this blog - especially how helpful Nas is!

And thank you for mentioning me, I was very happy to help you. Also, I say authors are the most giving folks out there. When I had my first copy edits and didn't know how to approach them, the lovely Fiona Lowe stepped up and showed me the way.

Had to laugh a bit when I read spending an entire day working as an author without increasing the word count. I'm guilty of that. And the roller coaster ride of checking sales numbers ... that's gotta stop. I'll do that once a day at the end of the day. Maybe in the morning too.

Great advice, Wendy! I can see how reading a bad review would be counterproductive. It's tough to write when your confidence is at a low. No one can please everyone. But I know you have absolutely fantastic reviews and accolades out there :)! I love your voice and your posts are always fun to read. Don't worry about the drawing...I already have it preordered for download ;)Thanks for hosting Wendy, Nas!

Hi there Wendy! So nice to see you again at Nas's :) I am so in line with the "network" of friends we need, especially to give us the required kicks or praises to keep going! More so, since writing is such a solitary task, with the added pressure of keeping ourselves self-motivated enough for the brain to churn creative juices :)

Apart from the weeks/months of no writing (yeah, it happens to me), I guess I have to developing a thick enough skin for reviews or sales....Keeping fingers crossed though ;)

Hi Ju!!!Great to *see* you! I find people get what they give...so I'm anticipating you have a wonderful network of friends and supporters! I hope you made it through your revisions. Looking forward to reading your book!

I love this blog post. So many important points, especially that we have to sit down and write! It's all important but none of it is worth anything unless you are also writing. I just need another 24 hours in each day please!

This is all SUCH good advice -- I'm learning these lessons myself right now as I get ready for publication! Making time to right is definitely at the top of the pile, as is just ASKING if you don't know. I have to remind myself that I'm happy to help others, so of course they're happy to help me!